Jesus' disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray. Prayer is
speaking to God. Jesus gave them a sample - or model - prayer.

Read Matt. 6:9-13 "9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our
Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom
come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11
Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the
power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."

Why - for peace, forgiveness, health, to know God better, to know ourselves
better, to become dependent on God, and because He wants us to.

Do you talk to your parents or friends each time you see them? What would
they think if you didn't speak to them? Giving people the "silent
treatment" usually indicates that you're upset with them - or that
you don't like them. How do you think God feels when we give Him the
"silent treatment"? God wants to be involved in our life, like a
friend. He wants us to include Him, to be close to us. He is always
willing and ready to talk. He leaves it up to us to approach Him.

Practice Prayer - Tell the class you will
have a prayer where each person contributes one part. Have them
decide in advance what they will say. The teacher begins and ends
the prayer. Discuss attitude and seriousness, as well as closeness
to God.

Name 2 ways you can pray for others. 1) leaders and government, 2)
sick, 3) those grieving or in difficult times, 4) that they avoid temptation
or be drawn to the gospel...

Act out: one of the disciples asking Jesus to
teach them to pray.

emotion questions

What can make prayer unpleasing to God? When we do it to be seen of
men, when we do it purely because we have to, when we don't have faith in
what we ask for or in God...

Why does God want us to talk to Him?
He desires a close relationship with us. All close relationships are based
on communication. Our prayers to Him reveal our dependence and closeness to
Him.

application questions

Explain what it means to "pray without ceasing". To make prayer a
continual part of your life. To constantly be in connection with God, as if
he were standing next to you all the time.

What limits our ability to be forgiven? We must repent, ask for
forgiveness, and have forgiven those who've trespassed against us. Matt
6:14-15 "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will
also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will
your Father forgive your trespasses."

fact questions

Give 2 examples of prayer in the Bible. 1) Jesus in the garden, 2)
Elijah and the drought, 3) Hannah for a son, 4) Paul's prayer to be released
of his thorn, 5) the Christians' prayer for Peter while he was in prison.

Who are we to pray to?
God

review questions

Are we allowed to pray for things we need? Like what? Yes - daily
needs such as food, clothing, and our livelihood. We can pray for our needs,
but be careful about the "wants".

When is it appropriate to pray? We
can pray at any time. Sometimes it is more appropriate to pray privately.
Other times, public prayer is fine.

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